College skills course is whole new ball game

Rotherham College of Arts and Technology is one of only 12 colleges in the UK to run the Heading for Success project – a series of courses which aim to use soccer to attract adults into learning.

Fans are now being urged to sign up for one of the courses being run at the college and supported by the Department for Education and Skills and the Football Association.

They will learn maths by understanding transfer fees or the battle to avoid relegation or improve their reading and writing skills by producing match reports or analysing commentary.

Participants will be given the opportunity to tour the club's Millmoor Ground and meet some of their favourite players.

The partnership will be launched at the Millmoor Football Fair on Sunday when college tutors will be there to offer advice about the courses to fans.

Research shows Rotherham has a higher rate of people with no qualifications compared to national and regional averages and two thirds of unemployed people have no qualifications.

It is estimated 28 per cent of people overall have low literacy or numeracy skills.

Head of Faculty for Skills for Life Sue Horner said: "We are really pleased to be working with Rotherham United Football Club to promote these courses.

"Improving your key skills will not only improve your employability; it will also mean you have a better understanding of a range of subjects including football.

"We hope that the Heading for Success courses will make learning fun and show people how literacy and numeracy skills can be of value in all areas of life."

To find out more about the Heading for Success project in Rotherham phone 01709 722800.